Entertainment
Top Seven Songs From EndSARS Protests Across Nigeria
Be it in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Asaba or Benin,Nigerians are united by one voice in rejecting unfair treatment and injustice as they also demand good governance, while holding government accountable.
As the endSARS protests continue across the country, Governors’ orders have been defied and their personalities ridiculed on podiums, while love for fellow men and country has taken the centre stage.
But at the heart of this moment which seems like a turn around is the use of music, as citizens rally for funding and iconic shots are taken, Nigerians have also used music to pass their messages in crystal clear forms.
Here are the top seven songs of the movement:
Davido’s Fem
While Fem is not exactly a song with political background, it has been used as a sound track for endSARS protests across the nation. It was even used to tell Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu to shut up on October 13,2020.
Eedris Abdulkareem’s Jaga Jaga
When Eedris released this song, Obasanjo was President of the country. To think that Nigeria was even more Jaga Jaga now is sickening. He sang Nigeria Jaga Jaga in 2004 and 16 years later, the song is hitting the right note.The song documents the perpetual upheavals that are inherent in the country. Jaga Jaga is then an onomatopoeia for the troubles and upheavals. In Port Harcourt, the song particularly took centre stage for the city’s natural attitude to conflict.
Fela’s Zombie
While sorrow, tears and blood were also shed during the protests, Zombie, which was dedicated to the military government in the year it was fighting against unarmed and defenceless Nigerians, who were literally abused and battered by the government.
African China’s Mr. President
When African China’s, Mr President came on at the protests recently, funny as that song was many years ago, everyone could relate to the struggle, that tune is the sound track of the movement # #SARSMustEnd.
African China released this letter to the President to treat the citizens well, this suits the current agenda as the responsibility of the central government is one of the reasons why we find ourselves here.
P Square’s Oga Police
A little further back in May, 2005, Nigeria’s now defunct super group, PSquare released their somophore album, Get Squared, at track three was a song titled: Oga Police. It also chronicled the ills of the country’s law enforcement agents. The long and short of the story was how a young man got arrested by members of the Nigerian Police Force simply for driving his own car. For its topical resonance, the song perfectly suits the purpose of the protests.
Burna Boy’s Monsters You Made
Monsters You Made seems to be the only song suitable for the expressions in these pictures. If Burna Boy’s PR wasn’t at an all time low for his inactivity as regards the battle to end SARS, this song would have been the perfect soundtrack for the protests. Chris Martin sings thus, “We are the monsters you made “ in response to the political elite, Burna Boy sang about inevitable conflicts after citizens got fed up and this is it.
Naira Marley’s Aye
“Aye o le o, Aye l’o Maye le” . That is Yoruba for life is easy, people just make life hard. The song basically suits the Nigerian government and its tendency for making life unnecessarily hard for its own citizens.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’
